[APML] M31 with SCT was [Re: Mr.Zangs comment]

["Taras R. Hnatyshyn" <tarashnat@earthlink.net>]

Don,

If I had tried composing the image with the camera's long axis in line 
with
the galaxy's axis, I would have fit the galaxy in the FOV. This _was_ 
my first
manually guided "prime" focus image. I had just gotten a focal reducer 
and
an ETX90 spotting scope and a Losmandy ring set and was dealing with 
too much
new equipment to concentrate on the basics: composition, polar 
alignment, etc.
Many lessons learned with that shot. I think it was my experiences with 
this
target that made me suspicious of a complete unknown getting an image in
Jerry's league without breaking a sweat. A real astrophotographer would 
have
complained about a strained back from leaning into the eyepiece to guide
the image, not brag about snowmobiling on a moonless night (wouldn't the
headlight ruin the image on that 6400 film?) while the Meade SCT (could 
it
be an LX3? no mention of computers or autostar, just precision drives)
dutifully tracked the sky in sub-zero weather without a hint of periodic
error. The most important lesson learned that August night was to be as
comfortable as possible at the eyepiece... I bought an observing chair--
the most invaluable accessory to my telescope.

Taras

On Tuesday, May 20, 2003, at 11:12  AM, Don Spencer wrote:

> Taras,
>            That must have been a effort to get the camera positioned 
> right,
> but some of the galaxy is still clipped at the upper left (so it looks 
> to
> me). But you just proved the point again. Even going up 2", you are not
> going to get the shot he claimed he did.
> Thanks,
> Don Spencer
> ----- Original Message -----
>
>> Here is the link to my first attempt at a long guided SCT image of M31
>> with
>> my SCT (8" f/6.3) with an f/6.3 reducer. Yes I know, I did not get the
>> polar
>> alignment right. And I haven't PSed the vignetting out. But it is
>> possible to
>> fit it in with an SCT.
>>
>> http://homepage.mac.com/tarashnat/astrophoto/0028-09.html
>>
>> Taras
>>
>> On Monday, May 19, 2003, at 11:14  PM, Don Spencer wrote:
>>
>>> Mr. Zang.....hmmm. Has anyone  in our group shot M31 through an SCT?
>>> I've
>>> looked at it through my 12" and a 31 Nagler and it still didn't fit
>>> into the
>>> FOV. Can anyone here caculate the exact FOV on 35mm and medium format
>>> films,
>>> using an 8" LX200 at f/10 and F/6.3? I would really love to respond 
>>> to
>>> him,
>>> but I want to get my "sceintific" facts down first. I already proved
>>> it out
>>> visually.
>>> Don Spencer
>>>
--
                         <end of message>
******************************************************************
* Taras R. Hnatyshyn                     tarashnat@earthlink.net *
*    http://homepage.mac.com/tarashnat/astrophoto/welcome.html   *
*  73°59'18.4"W 40°43'37.2"N    or    74°25'24.4"W 41°40'42.0"N  *
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